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Coosa Riverkeeper briefs commission on PFAS concerns, weekly water testing and recreation boost
Summary
Richard Ripken of Coosa Riverkeepers updated commissioners on PFAS (forever chemicals) concerns, ongoing weekly water testing with swim-guide alerts, and a recent Coosa River Ramble event that drew more than 100 attendees; he urged elected officials to attend a PFAS documentary screening next week.
Richard Ripken, representing Coosa Riverkeepers, briefed the commission on local water-quality monitoring and emerging contamination concerns including PFAS, the group's swim-guide testing program, and a recent recreational event.
Ripken described PFAS as a persistent "forever chemical," said the organization conducts weekly water sampling and posts swim-guide alerts on Fridays via Facebook Live, and noted rainfall-driven runoff has increased red alerts in recent weeks. He also reported the Coosa River Ramble paddle/kayak event drew more than 100 attendees and that the organization is collecting data and resources on data-center impacts that could affect local water resources. Ripken asked elected officials to attend a documentary screening addressing PFAS and its history in manufacturing.
Commissioners thanked Ripken and the Coosa Riverkeepers for their work and noted the county has shoreline on multiple lakes; county staff said they would coordinate to receive the group's reports and consider including the testing summaries publicly as part of source-water protection planning.
